Vacuum device



July 27, 1943. H, SCHERBAK VACUUM DEVICE Filed octrs, 1959 2 Sheets-8hweft .1

'INVENTOIL ATTORNEY.

July 27, 1943. H. SCHERBAK ,3

VACUUM DEVICE Filed Oct. 5, 195a 2 Shets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY.

0 8 .m w w m F 2 2 w. a/ 4 I]! II, nlL w flermawn .50 1 efr Fig. 1 1

'l 2 2 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Patented July 27,1943

UNITED STATES [PA EN OFFICE Hermann Scherbak, New. York, N. Y. Application October 3, m9, Serial No. 297,659

'- The object or the invention is a vacuum device for sealing rapidly by hand i or automatically, containers cgnta'iningfood etc., or empty, by. Dumping liquid from a tank encompassing said coni v I tainers, in which device all Joints are protected i preserved without the use of artificial cold steam,

containers from said tank in a substantially dry manner in spite of said liquid seal.

With this purpose in view the object of the invention is a vacuum sealing device comprising in combination a tank adapted to hold a working liquid, 9. cover for said tank, a liquid seal for said cover, an independent auxiliary tank, adapted to be mounted above said first mentioned tank so as toleave tree the space above the opening thereof,

- conduits connecting said tanks, a pump connected with said first mentioned tank and adapted to pump liquid from the latter into said auxiliary tank through one of said conduits, means for draining liquid from said auxiliary tank into said first mentioned tank, and means for draining liquid from said seal into said first mentioned tank.

Other purposes, objects and features or the in-. vention will appear-from the following description in connection with the annexed drawings, inwhich Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic elevation, partly in section, of a device for sealing .big milk transmrtation cans;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section through part of the driving mechanism provided for the vacuum pump;

Fig. 8 is a vertical diagrammatic cross sectidn, on a larger scale, through the cover and the adjacent part or said firstmentioned tank, they being shown drawn apart for the sake or cleara Fig. 4 is a view, similar to Fig. 1, 01' a modifica- Fig. 51s a diagrammatic vertical section of a modification oi the object or the invention with the cover or the device in closed position:

Fig. 6 is asectionasinFig. withthecover 7 is adiagrammatic cross section on the line A'B of Fig. 5;

used as a receptacle for water pumped out oi. the

(ores-2'12) Fig. 8 is gin elevation oi a basket to be used in connection with the object of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a vertical section 01 the pump piston on a larger scale;

Fig. 10 is a partial vertical section on a larger scale through a container adapted to be sealed by means of the new device;

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic vertical cross section through a box or casing e. g. for the device shown in Figs. 5-7;

Fig. 12 is a vertical cross section through a modification of the device shown in Fig. 5.

In the device shownin Figs. 1 to 3 a tanki is provided for the reception of a large milk transportation can 2, provided with the usual handles 3 and lid 4. 1

The can 2 is not supported directly by the'bottom 5 of theltank i but by an elevated support or false bottom 6 which may have conveniently the form voi a-sieve. Valved pipe connections i .andB are provided for keeping the liquid beneath the support 6 in circulation, for conveying such liquid to a sterilization apparatus,.etc. A cover 9 (see also Fig. 3) serves for closing the opening I0 of the tank land is connected with agasket Ii, secured thereto in any convenient manner. For avoiding damage to the cans 2,

during the operation of introducing them into and I taking them out of the tank I, the opening 10 is confined by a frame or annular structure l2 consisting of sheet material doubled back upon itself to U-shape to form a rounded edge I3 for said opening.

The-cover 2 is held down by clamp screws 14.

The cylindrical wall of the tank I has an upward extension I5 above the opening it for enclosing a space It available asthe cover 8.

To the under sideoi the cover 8 is secured a rubber block H which exerts upon the lid 4 sumcient pressure to enable this lid to act as a check valve with a narrow passage during evacuation. This pressure may be regulable by any convenient means. For sealing the joint between the lid 4 and thecan 2 a gasket i8 is interposed between them.

The joint seal between the have the form shown 2 and 4 are shown, one groove i9 8asket- I 8.

Separate spring means (not shown) may be provided for clamping down the lid 4. upon the can 2 independently of the rubber block IT.

A pump II is attached, preferably by welding,

parts 2 and 4 may in Fig. 10. There the parts each provided with more than I for sealing by means 01' the a liquid seal for 'with by means of the hole 22 providedclose to through a hose or pipe 24 into an auxiliary tank to the side of the teak I and communicates therethe bottom 3. This pump is operated from above adapted to convey liquid 23 from the tank I 25 arranged above, but laterally ofiset from the tank I, so as to leave the space above the opening I unobstructed for the introduction of the cans 2 into and their removal from the tank I by a crane-or the like also from above.

A hose or 'pipe 23 provided with a three-way.

' valve 21 connects the bottom part of the tank with the top part of the tank I or with the waterseal space IBQrespectively.

determined degree of vacuum.

Instead of said last mentioned means any 20 known kind of slip-coupling (not shown) may be provided. inserted into the rotary drive of the pump and adapted to make inoperative said drive assoon as the resistance of the pump 2i, dependent on the vacuum, reaches a certain degree.

Operation -Thecan 2 is introduced into the tank I which preferably is substantially empty at least as far as its part above the blind bottom Bisconcerned.

Then the cover 3 is applied and clamped down by means of the screws I4. Thereupon the threeway valve 21 is so adjusted as to introduce liquid from the auxiliary tank 25 through the pipe 20 into the main tank I until the latter is completely filled. This may be facilitated by a valved air vent opening (not shown) at the top of the tank I.

- Thereafter the valve 21 is so adjusted that liqdid from the tank 23 flows into the space I3,

therebyto form a liquid seal for the cover 3. ,Thereupon the valve 21 is closed, and the pump 2| is operated, in a Jerky manner, until almost all or the greater part of the liquid from the tank I hase been pumped through the i e'zl'lnte the tank 25.. During this operation the lid 4 acts as a check valve permittingevacuation of the can 2 by'the vacuum producedin the tank I.

Even in the beginning of the evacuation, when the can 2 is submerged in liquid, the latter is pre- 5 vented by the gasket I8 from entering the can 2. This is particularly true for the Joint seal shown in Fig. 10, where the passages across the gasket I8 are so long, tortuous and narrow, that only an easily movable gas like air, but not :a vis cous liquid-like water can pass.

After sufllcient evacuation the operation of the pump 2| is stopped, preferably by the described means, and the valve 21 is so adjusted, that the liquid from the seal space I3 flows into the tank I and accumulates beneath the false bottom 6 whereupon air entera the tank I vthrough this valve and/or the above-mentioned air vent for destroying the vacuum in the tank I. The atmospheric air pressure now keeps the lid 4 on the can 2 hermetically sealed.

Now the cover I can be removed and the can 2 can be lifted out of the tank I and exchanged against another one by means of a crane (not shown), whereupon the operation is repeated.

Of course, instead of the valve 21 a separate valve and opening can be provided for connecting the space I3 with the tank I. k

Attention is called to the veryimportant fact on both sides in the new device, all manipulations in operating the latter are substantially dry. Fig. 2 shows part of the pump drive. The ring member 29 is reciprocated by a rotary drive (not i shown) along the piston rod 30 of the pump. In its upward stroke the member 23 hits sharply the ring 3I of rubber or the like slidable on the rod 30. Thereby the coil spring 32 is compressed and, by means of the collar 33, fixed on the rod 30, lifts'the latter and operates the pump witha sharp jerk. This action is repeated as described above.

- The period of this operation and the intensity of the jerk can be regulated by anyknown means,

not shown.

In the modification, shownin Fig. '4, the threeway valve 21 of Fig. 1 is replaced by a oneway valve 210 and a one-way valve 2' which is inserted in the return pipe 260... The evacuation pipe is termed 240.

During evacuation both these valves are closed. Thereafter, the valve 210 is opened for draining the seal space I60 into the tank I00 as described above, and for admitting air into the tank I00.

For starting a new operation both valves are opened, and liquid flows from the auxiliary tank (not shown) through pipe 260 and valve 2' into the tank I00, and overflows through valve 210 into the seal space I60, whereupon both valves are closed and evacuation started as above described.

In the modification shown in Figs. 5 to 7 the tank 34 is again combined with a pump 35. In the preferred form, shown in- Fig. 7, both these members form together a prismatic unit of continuous, shoulderless, substantially oval cross-- section.

- For introducing air into the tank 34, after evacnation, an opening 50 is provided. This opening may be kept closed during evacuation by a finger of the operator or by any appropriate valve, cock, cap or other member.

According to Figs. 5 and 6 the unit is provided with a cap 38, which may be looked upon the unit by any known means, forexcluding dust andunauthorized manipulation. This cap, if desired, can be telescoped uponthe lower part of the unit for avoiding waste of space and for reinforcing the unit against rough handling in manipulating.

The cap furthermore, in the position 33" of Fig. 6, may be used as a receiverfor the liquid delivered by the pump e. g. by means of a hosepipe 31. It. may be used also as a carrier for water etc. 1

Preferably, the cap is provided with an electric heating device 33,to be used for boiling and sterilizing the liquid, the gaskets, etc., and may be provided with a double bottom for waterbath heating (not shown) Fig. 8 shows a basket 33 which may be inserted into the evacuation tank as a convenient means for handling simultaneously two or more containers which need not be of the same size.

Fig. 9 shows a pump piston particularly well suited for function in the desirable Jerky operation.

The piston rod 30, adapted to be reciprocated in the pump cylinder 40 as described, is, at its lower end. rigidly connected with a rront disk 4i, shaped like a gear wheel whereby openings 42 are formed at its periphery for the passage of liquid.

On the upper surface of thedisk 4| is formed an annular seat 43 for the pump piston proper that, although all Joints are protected by liquid which consists of a cylindrical soft inner layer ll of rubber and of a harder outer layer ll of stiller rubber, which lay rs, preferably, are united by vulcanizing. The soft layer It has to seal on the seat 43. whereas the harder layer 48 has to seal on the cylinder wall and has to stand against the sliding friction during the reciprocation oi the piston rod. v

The described difierent qualities of both laygas for instance. if the contents are very perishable, as explosives, and the last trace of omen shall be eliminated, or if surgical instruments ers have been found extremely important for a permanent good function of the pump.

During the upward stroke of the piston it is pressed, by the liquid accumulated above it, against the seat is and is expanded against the wall of the cylinder ll. Liquid is sucked into the cylinder 40 through the hole I! and a corresponding volume of liquid is displaced from I the upper end of the cylinder.

During the downstroke o! the piston it is lifted, by the pressure of the liquid therebeneath, from the seat ll, and such liquid may fiow freely up- 20 ward through the central bore 48 of the piston. Thereupon the operation is repeated.

The housing or box ti, shown in Fig. 11, may be used as a receptacle or carrier e. g. for the shall be kept in the most sterile manner.

a Whatlclaini is: I

1. A" vacuum sealing device, incombination, a tankadaptedtohold aworking liquid andpro vided with an opening, a cover for said opening,

a liquid seal for said cover. an independent aux- 7 mm tank, mounted above said first mentioned tank so as to leave free the space above the opening thereof, conduits connecting said tanks, a

pump adapted to pump liquid from the first tank, means for draining liquid i'rom said seal into said first mentioned tank and means for v mentioned tank into said auxiliary tank through one of said conduits, means for draining liquid from said auxiliary tank into said first mentioned blocking both'saiddraininga 2..-A vacuum sealing device comprising, in

. combination, a tank adapted to hold a' working device shown in Figs. 8 to 7. when the evacuation device is not in this housing the latter may be used as a storage receptacle for a stack or pile of containers "Ito be evacuated by the device, and for a stack or pile of lids O for such containers. J

Furthermore the housing may be provided with subdivisions or compartments 82.13, it, etc.

-for such necessities as e. g. a spirit stove, hard,

spirit, matches, knives. forks, spoons, gaskets, disinfectant, freezing salt, etc.

If desired the housing.may be made large enough for containing simultaneously the evaculiquid and provided with an opening, a cover for said opening, a liquid seal for said cover. an independent auxiliary tank mounted above said first mentioned tank so as to leave free the space above the opening thereof, conduits connecting said tanks, a pump connected with said first mentioned tank and adapted to pump liquid from the latter into said auxiliamtank through one of said conduits, means for draining liquid fromsaidauxiliarytankintosaidfirstmentioned tank, means-for draining liquid from said.

' seal into said first mentioned tank and means for ation device and all the above mentioned appurtenances.

The housing is provided with a cap I". It is important to note that for the operation of the new device, combining water seal on both sides of all joints with liquid evacuation and substantially dry handling. in addition to pumping only the adequately timed periodical control of a valve or two valves is necessary.

In the modification shown in Fig-12 the air opening 500 of the cover Ni of the tank 0 is I closed by agasket 34! secured to a bridge or leaf spring as: which abuts against abutments sis of the tank ill and by its pressure, regulable by any known means, not shown, also presses the cover I down onto its seat. 4

The tank and the containers to be evacuated Y may have couplings so arranged that after blocking both said drainings.

3. A device as in claim 2, comprising further a support arranged at such a height above the bottom of said first mentioned tank that the space beneathsaid support has at least the same volume as the space provided for said liquid seal.

sealing liquid mm said seal, and means for draining liquid from said seal into said chamber, the iatterbeingadaptedaiso'tosuppiyliquidto said pump. i

. i 3 evacuatingacontaineritcanbefilledwithinert- 

